Farfan and Mendes, T&T company launch $800M venture in Guyana

Farfan and Mendes group of Guyana and FT Farfan of Trinidad and Tobago on Wednesday officially launched their joint venture IBIS Construction Equipment Sales and Rentals, better known as ICON, at La Bonne Intention (LBI), East Coast Demerara (ECD) along with the opening of its showroom.
With an investment of over $800 million, the goal of ICON is to combine the experience and reputations of the Farfan and Mendes Group in the construction, oil and gas, agriculture, manufacturing, and Government sectors as well as serving small and medium businesses.
The venture currently has 10 employees, all of whom are Guyanese.
ICON represents internationally-established industry brands such as JCB, Belle, Multiquip, Lincoln Electric, Linde, Thompson Pumps, DeWalt/Milwaukee, Generac and JLG among other leading brands.
Additionally, it offers an extensive range of equipment and tools including but not limited to excavators, backhoes, scissors lifts, power systems, generators, welding equipment, compressors, and forklifts as well as drills, saws, and other power tools.
ICON is also an authorised agent for STIHL and KARCHER equipment.
ICON Chairman Andrew Mendes noted that the launch of the venture is nothing new, but rather a restoration of an over 50-year partnership.
With Guyana being on the road to major infrastructural development, the Chairman believes that ICON will be an asset to that journey.
” We are excited to be operating in Guyana and bring with us industry-leading brands to be part of the continued development and growth of such a dynamic market. Our years of experience and partnerships with our suppliers and customers combine to make this venture a unique opportunity to serve our valued customers,” the Chairman stated.
“It is not by any means a spur-of-the moment decision, and has been developed over the past three years in recognition of Guyana’s expediential growth opportunities and our company’s combined abilities to provide essential products and services for all sectors of development, not just oil and gas.”
Public Works Minister Juan Edghill congratulated the company on the venture and stated that the Government welcomes Private Sector partnership for the modernization and transformation of Guyana.
“Infrastructural development is key. It means we have to build thousands of kilometres of highways; we have to build community roads, because of Guyana’s own peculiar circumstances,” Edghill said.
He also spoke of the importance of the country’s infrastructural development, strengthened relationships with other countries, and the need for Guyanese to participate and benefit from these developments.
“Guyana is not going to be a place where we’re gonna just continue to be at each other’s throats. Guyana is a place where we’re gonna lock arms in partnership to develop this country.
“And that is why our One Guyana platform and our One Guyana agenda must be embraced by all, and that is why we are putting special attention into our local content, because these opportunities could exist and could be swallowed up if there’s not a regulated framework to ensure Guyanese participation and Guyanese benefits.”